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Apple, Microsoft join effort to simplify health data access

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Health
Apple could help bring health records into the 21st century.
Photo: Jim Merithew/Cult of Mac

Apple will be among the companies represented at a meeting today, hosted by a group that’s supporting the Department of Health and Human Services’ efforts to make it easier for patients to access and share their health data.

The organizers are nonpartisan group Carin Alliance. More than 40 people representing some of the biggest companies in the industry will attend in-person or on the phone. Apple’s representative is Ricky Bloomfield, a doctor with expertise in HealthKit and ResearchKit, who joined Apple in 2016.

Apple teases Beastie Boys Story ahead of April debut

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Beastie-Boys-Story
'Here's a little story they're about to tell...'
Photo: Apple

Apple just dropped a brand-new trailer for its original live documentary on the Beastie Boys.

Beastie Boys Story is scheduled to hit Apple TV+ on April 24. It will feature stage shows with Mike Diamond and Adam Horovitz, and is directed by Spike Jonze, who first collaborated with the band on the music video for Sabotage.

Pro snowboarders hit the slopes in latest ‘Shot on iPhone’ ad

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Exclusive: Videographer behind latest Apple ad talks shooting snowboarding on iPhone
It's pretty amazing what you can do on an iPhone these days.
Photo: Apple

Apple has debuted a new snowboarding “Shot on iPhone” video and, well, it’s pretty darn impressive. Photographed by sports videographer Joe Carlino, the ad depicts four snowboarders as they do their thing in British Columbia, Canada.

“Follow past and present Winter X Games snowboarding competitors Red Gerard, Danny Davis, Kimmy Fasani, and Ben Ferguson as they explore untouched powder in the backcountry of the British Columbia Interior at the legendary Baldface Lodge,” the description reads. Check out the video below. You won’t regret it.

Imagination’s newest CEO made it a priority to make up with Apple

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Apple patches things up with mobile GPU maker Imagination
The CEO who helped bring Touch ID tech to the iPhone helped patch up damaged relationship with mobile GPU maker.
Photo: Apple

An Apple-friendly CEO may be the reason Apple patched up its relationship with mobile GPU maker Imagination Technologies, a new report from the Telegraph newspaper suggests.

The publication features an interview with CEO Ron Black. Black took over as CEO and President of Imagination in 2018, one year after Apple and the chipmaker fell out, causing shares to plummet.

‘I admired his humanity’: Tim Cook tweets condolences on death of Kobe Bryant

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Tim Cook tweets condolences on death of Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant pictured at the free-throw line in 2005.
Photo: JoeJohnson2/Wikipedia CC

Tim Cook shared a tribute to Kobe Bryant Sunday after the NBA legend’s death at the age of 41 in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California. Bryant’s 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, was also killed in the crash, alongside seven others.

“Devastated and heartbroken by the passing of Kobe Bryant,” Cook wrote. “I admired his athletic prowess from afar and his humanity close up. He was an original. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fans. RIP.”

2020 is the year Apple gets serious about augmented reality

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Apple augmented reality has business potential
Hardware changes in the 2020 iPad and iPhone could noticeably improve augmented reality’s usefulness.
Photo: Apple

Apple CEO Tim Cook called augmented reality “the next big thing” this week. But he kept quiet about his company’s specific plans for this emerging technology. So Cult of Mac reached out to industry analysts, who predict that this year’s iPhone and iPad will come with AR equipment built in. And, for the future, they’re optimistic about Apple’s rumored AR glasses.

Good news about iOS 14 compatibility leaks out

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iOS 14 will reportedly run on many older iPhone models
Older models like the iPhone 6S Plus will reportedly get an iOS 14 upgrade.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

iOS 14 almost certainly won’t be unveiled before June, but information leaking out of Apple indicates this next version will offer very wide compatibility for current devices.

News about iPadOS 14 compatibility isn’t quite as good.

Apple donates to coronavirus relief efforts

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Mac attacks are on the up!
Apple is doing what it can to help those affected by the Wuhan coronavirus epidemic.
Photo: Cult of Mac

Thousands of people in China contracted the Wuhan coronavirus, and several cities are been locked down in attempts to keep it from spreading during the Lunar New Year. Apple CEO Tim Cook promises his company will donate to relief efforts in China.

Music tips from guy who made Steve Jobs dance [Cult of Mac Magazine 333]

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After writing tons of Apple tunes, Jonathan Mann launches a podcast.
After writing tons of Apple tunes, Jonathan Mann launches a podcast.
Cover: Leander Kahney/Cult of Mac

After finding fame for getting Steve Jobs to dance to his Antennagate song, Jonathan Mann went on to write tons more tunes (many about Apple). Now Mann, aka the Song a Day Guy, has a new podcast that delves into his creative process. He gave Cult of Mac some insight into the gear he uses to power his musical empire.

Read all about it in this week’s issue of Cult of Mac Magazine. We’ve also got hot tips for Mac, iPod and AirPods owners, plus a couple of juicy product reviews and recommendations. It’s all yours for free in our weekly iOS mag (or you can get the links below).

Apple dreams up curvy iMac concept

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Patent reveals Apple iMac concept
This could be a sneak peek at the 2020 iMac.
Photo: Apple/Cult of Mac

The design of the iMac hasn’t changed much in over a decade, but Apple is considering a radical facelift. A proposed future model would consist of a pane of glass that surrounds the display, then curves forward to hold a keyboard and a pair of trackpads.

Take a look at the secret app Apple uses to test iPhone hardware

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iQT
The iQT app is for Apple Technicians only.
Photo: Holt's iPhone Help

Ever visit the Apple store for an iPhone repair and notice the Genius Bar uses special diagnostic apps you’ve never seen before?

Apple keeps its internal-use apps on tight lockdown, but thanks to a forgetful iPhone technician, Apple nerds just got an in-depth look at a secret app called iQT that’s used to make sure every single feature on your iPhone is working properly.

Apple Arcade’s Butter Royale is a Fortnite-like food fight

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Butter Royale on Apple Arcade is a multi-player food fight
Mix food fights with Fortnite to get Butter Royale.
Photo: Mighty Bear Games

Plenty of games drop players into an arena to battle friends or rivals over the internet, but Butter Royale takes a much lighter tone than most. It’s a food fight, not a desperate struggle for survival.

This game for players age 9 and up debuted today on Apple Arcade.

Apple TV+ subscriber numbers could be stronger than many think

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Apple TV+ could have 26 million paying subs by 2025; 2.6 million currently
Apple TV+ is off to a roaring start, it seems.
Photo: Apple

A new analyst report suggests 33.6 million customers were ready and waiting to subscribe to Apple TV+ before its November launch and estimates that number could grow to 40 million subscribers by the end of this year.

If accurate, the numbers from TV industry market analyst Ampere Analysis would put Apple TV+ ahead of Hulu and Disney+, and already at more than 50% of Netflix in the United States.

Trojan using fake Flash updates infects 1 in 10 Macs

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shlayer
The Shlayer Trojan hides in fake Flash update pages like this.
Photo: Kaspersky

A dangerous piece of Mac malware that hides as a fake Flash warning is a growing security threat to Mac users with one in 10 Macs infected, according to the security firm, Kaspersky.

The Shlayer Trojan has been active since early 2018 and so far it shows no signs of going away quietly. Shlayer has had an enormous amount of success attacking Macs, even though it’s a rather normal piece of malware.

Palm-size pillows will have you dreaming about that first Mac

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new Pocket Pillows from
Robert Hoyos has developed new software.
Photo: Throwboy

On this day in 1984, the first Macintosh computers started shipping. Who could have imagined that 36 years later to the day, this iconic machine would be commemorated with a tiny plush pillow that fits in your hand?

Only one person possesses this kind of vision – Roberto Hoyos. His Throwboy brand is launching a crowdfunding campaign today for two new plush Mac toys.

Broadcom lands $15 billion deal with Apple to sell it iPhone components

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Broadcom.logo.on.building
Broadcom has multiple chip deals with Apple. Two new ones increase its partnership value to $15 billion.
Photo: Brad Gibson/Cult of Mac

Chipmaker Broadcom has inked two multi-year deals with Apple to sell it some $15 billion in wireless components for its iPhone product line, the company announced in an SEC filing on Thursday.

The announcement did not specify which components Broadcom would provide to the iPhone maker. The deals apply to “Apple products launched during the three and a half year period beginning in January 2020,” the chipmaker said.

Why everyone’s upset about AirPods Pro, and Tim Cook’s favorite shower tech, this week on The CultCast

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CulCast 424
Finally, you too can shower like Tim Cook. We'll tell you how.
Photo: YSR50

This week on The CultCast: It’s not your imagination — Apple changed AirPods Pro and made them worse! We’ll tell you what’s going on. Plus: A new report says Apple caved to FBI pressure to keep your iCloud backups less safe. And stay tuned to hear about about Tim Cook’s favorite new … shower tech? Rub-a-dub-dub, my friends.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. Easily create a beautiful website all by yourself, at Squarespace.com/cultcast, and use offer code CultCast at checkout for 10% off your first purchase.

Apple leases new offices near Apple Park

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Apple leases new offices near to Apple Park
Not running out of space at Apple Park already, guys?
Photo: Duncan Sinfield

An estimated 12,000 people can comfortably work together in Apple Park. But Apple’s a big company — and 12,000 people is only a drop in the ocean.

For that reason, Apple has leased six floors in a nearby office building, just six minutes’ drive from its enormous circular headquarters at One Apple Park Way.

Facebook Messenger could protect your messages with Face ID

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Face ID
An extra layer of protection for your messages.
Photo: Apple

Facebook Messenger could soon add Face ID support to protect your conversations from nosy neighbors.

The feature would prevent access to Messenger until it is first unlocked with your face. It seems like a useful addition to the app for the security-conscious, but it’s still in development for now.

Apple gives its hiring page a colorful overhaul — and a renewed focus on AI

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Apple gives its hiring page a colorful overhaul -- and a renewed focus on AI
Apple's given its jobs site a colorful overhaul.
Photo: Apple

When you hear “Jobs” and “Apple” together you probably think of the dearly departed Steve Jobs. But Apple happens to employ well over 100,000 people worldwide — and now it’s got a fancy new hiring page to help it get even more.

The refreshed jobs homepage boasts colorful Apple logo and acts as an “open invitation to open minds.”

No-show Friday: Apple TV+ has its quietest week yet

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No show Friday: Apple TV+ has its quietest week yet
Tumbleweeds. No, that's not the name of a new show.
Photo: Jypsygen/Flickr CC

Apple TV+ had its quietest week yet in terms of new shows, with (to the best of my knowledge) zero new programming uploaded Friday.

Apple Originals Servant, Truth Be Told, The Morning Show, See and For All Mankind have now concluded. All eight episodes of Little America debuted last week. And with seemingly nothing new on the calendar until Mythic Quest arrives on February 7, it could be a quiet few weeks on the Apple TV+ front.

Samsung’s AirDrop clone will debut with Galaxy S20 next month

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AirDrop-hot-air-balloon
Incoming!
Photo: Marcus Dall Col/Unsplash

Samsung is developing its own AirDrop competitor that will make its debut alongside the Galaxy S20 next month, according to a new report.

Leaked Quick Share screenshots reveal the feature will let users “share instantly with people nearby.” This is separate from the AirDrop rival Google is reportedly planning for all Android devices.

Profile focuses on Apple’s cutthroat buying practices and ‘The Blevinator’

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A new profile of Apple purchasing executive Tony Blevins gives an inside perspective on the company's tough negotiating tactics.
A new profile of Apple purchasing executive Tony Blevins gives an inside perspective on the company's tough negotiating tactics.
Photo: North Carolina State University

In a feature piece based largely on background sources, The Wall Street Journal on Thursday profiled Tony Blevins, Apple’s vice president of procurement, giving a unique insight into the dog-eat-dog business of buying components from third-party suppliers for Apple products.

Apple crams celebrities into first Carpool Karaoke season 3 trailer

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carpool-karaoke
Carpool Karaoke is going to an all-new level this season.
Photo: Apple

Carpool Karaoke is back for a third season and it’s packed with more celebrity appearances than ever before.

The first trailer for Carpool Karaoke season 3 was posted to show creator James Cordon’s YouTube channel this afternoon revealing some big changes coming to the show in 2020. Apple still hasn’t given an official release date for season 3, but the new slate of celebrity pairings have us hyped for its debut later this year.

See how many celebs you can name: